Ella Marie Hall Wilson was born December 6, 1929 and passed away peacefully on December 6, 2022. Mrs. Wilson was a mother, nurse, and hard-working farm wife. She was the last surviving sibling of the Albert and Verdie Hall family. She graduated from Crossville High School in 1947, and after graduation, attended the University of Kentucky while living with her sister for one year. In 1948, she began the nursing program at Fort Sanders School of nursing and graduated as an RN in 1951. She spent a year working as a surgical nurse prior to staying home for a time to raise her family. She eventually spent the remainder of her 30 plus years nursing career in public health, doing home care, family planning, and immunizations. While in school, she met, and eventually married in 1952 her husband and best friend of 65 years, Bud Wilson. Together they had four children: Al, Jan, Suzy, and Clay. Mrs. Wilson worked both part and full time while raising a large family, simultaneously running a household, and being a farm wife. Like most women of her era, she worked hard, never complained, and did her multiple jobs with quietness and grace.

Ella lived a full life, with her primary joy being her family. She was a born caregiver and took care of her husband who had a debilitating disease for 13 years with a quiet strength. Mrs. Wilson always, even toward the end of her life, made sure she knew how sick family and community members were so she could help them if she could. Ella had a quiet faith, lived her life for the Lord, and followed the golden rule in everything she did. She was greatly loved by family and friends and loved them with all her heart in return.

Ella was preceded in death by her husband Bud, daughter, Jan York, granddaughter in law, Jessica Wilson, parents, Albert and Verdie Hall, sisters, Gladys Coxen and Christine Thompson, brothers, Ralph Hall, Roy Hall, Oliver (Ob) Hall, and Ernest Hall. Ella is survived by sons, Al Wilson and wife, Debby, Clay Wilson, daughter, Sue Burris, and husband Mark, and son in law, Jerry York, and wife Brenda. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Robby Wilson, Lindsey Thompson and husband John, Danny Wilson and wife Brandi, JC York and wife Ashley, Nate York, and wife Tamara, Chris Burris and wife Pam, and Beki Hillis and husband Ivy. Mrs. Wilson also has 18 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
In the last two years of her life, Ella had some very special people that assisted in her care. Many thanks to caregivers Kay Hays and her dear friend Dorothy Hayes who helped in her care when needed. Full time caregivers that she came to appreciate, and love were Tonya Reagan and Barbie Brown who helped so much by covering her nighttime care and other times when they were needed as well. Finally, Sue Hicks, who was like a daughter to Ella, and a sister to the rest of her kids, cared for Ella like she was her own mother. Ella’s family owes Sue gratitude for a lifetime for the care she gave their loved one. Mrs. Wilson lived a long and fruitful life. She accomplished what Ralph Waldo Emerson said was the purpose of life: to be useful, honorable, compassionate, and to have lived and lived well.

Visitation for Mrs. Wilson will be Friday, December 9, 2022, from 11-1 pm, with the funeral service to follow at 1 pm at Hood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cumberland Hospice House or Ag in the Classroom. Acknowledgement forms for these two organizations can be obtained at Hood Funeral Home.